Evaluation of trace element contents in canned tomato paste and canned pineapple marketed in Algeria

This study aimed to assess the migration of metallic trace elements (MTEs) from metallic food packaging to canned foods. Iron, zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead were determined in 52 canned foods samples (tomato paste and pineapple) marketed in Algiers. The determination was carried out by AAS after mineralization by wet acid digestion. The results highlighted that approximately 29% of the analyzed samples did not meet the regulatory limits, especially for Cd, with 11 samples (21%) exhibiting high levels (≥ 0.05 mg/Kg). Conversely, statistical results indicated that concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb were statistically below regulatory limits. The study identified a significant increase in Zn and Cu contents with decreasing pH. Fe content was positively correlated with the presence of oxygen in the headspace. Zn and Cd contents were positively correlated, and both were positively correlated with food/packaging contact time.